Pros
I will be honest here. I read through entire reviews here, and many of them are good, and some are bad. Every company has good and bad points. No company can be all-bad, or all-good. It's just how you perceive it: Starting with the pros: 1. Good learning curve Well, you learn so many things in just 1 year that will take you at least 3-4 years outside. You work in your own lab, and they have their own cloud. You get access to systems within your starting years only at L1, which will take some good experience of being L3 in other companies. So yes, you learn a lot. 2. Excellent package Katalyst generally pays better than the competition. Even freshers get a good salary. People who have stayed for more than 3 years get added benefits which is higher than other people. So guys, money would not be a problem if you join Katalyst, trust me. Salary is on time every month, haven't seen a single delay of even day. 3. Very close-knitted group It can be a pro or a con as per people's mindset. There is no extravagance of any kind. If you're a person who doesn't like office politics, just work to work, then this is best place for you. I see some people complaining that it's too quiet sometimes, but this is not any concert. Come, do your work and go. Simple life. No need to impress people just for the sake of it. 4. Two compulsory week-off Come on time. Go on time. Get two days off per week. Flexible shift timings. You have to earn your leaves here. Every month your leaves get accrued which you can use later on. It's fun seeing your leave account grow. 5. Play Area Katalyst is on 11th floor of Rupa Solitaire in MBP. Just outside office, you have a lot of play activities. Table tennis, karaoke, carrom, foosball, pool, archery, and two huge television screens. I love the atmosphere when there is a cricket match going on. Whole building gets in front of TV screens. Plus, you can use free gym as well.
Cons
Let me tell you that the cons are also personal. It depends on people to people. Most people are lazy, they are not able to cope with the demands of work and they get frustrated. But if you do your work well, I don't think anyone can reach that point. One bad apple begets another, so it snowballs like that. Still I will try to throw light on cons that some people have: 1. Rigour and hard work Lazy people are not required. People who come from relaxed environments of these huge IT companies, where most of the time they sit on the bench, they are unable to cope up when a little work is added. They have the same mindset of laziness as in their old companies, but here everyone needs to be a hard worker. One lazy person affects another's productivity, so the person who is working hard should not inculcate timepass habits. But if you are the one who is focussed and hardworking, you will find this place very competitive and a place to expand your horizons. 2. Silent environment This can be positive for some people too. This might be personal, but the culture of the company is very quiet. It is understandable because the company is open 24/7 because of the Support requirements. Mobile phones are not allowed on the floor, since calling to customersis required. You can't talk on floor. So when you're at office, you just need to be in front of PC. No dilly dallying or gossiping. Some people who are used to office gossips term it "bland" but every company is different. If you are a quiet person, you will have no problems. In every company, you will find some people who will be complaining. But ultimately it depends on you. Here are people who are in the company from past 12 years, and they are doing quite well. Again, you shouldn't make any decisions based on reading internet reviews. Experience it and then make a judgement. If you like it, it's good for you and company. If not, it's good for the company. Company doesn't need you anyway then.